Class AAAA Playoffs at a Glance
Region Champions: Bainbridge; Perry; Benedictine; Troup; Stockbridge; Holy Innocents; Cedartown; North Oconee
Best First Round Matchup: LaGrange vs Burke County
Round 1 Upset Alert: Holy Innocents’; Benedictine
Toughest Road to the Title for a Region Champ: Perry
Our Final Four Picks: Cedartown; Perry; Stockbridge; Troup
The Dark Horse: Trinity Christian
Our State Champion: Cedartown
The Benedictine Cadets are the defending Class AAAA Champions, but they have their work cut out for them if they aim to repeat this season. They might have one of the toughest first round games of any Region Champion. There are some really good potential second round matchups including Perry vs the Trinity Christian/Wayne County winner. Also another great potential matchup is the LaGrange/Burke County winner versus Bainbridge, (if Bainbridge wins on Friday). There is really no easy path to the title. We like Cedartown to get to the finals this year and we also like Troup to join them. But will Troup bounce back from their loss last week at the hands of rival LaGrange? Other title contenders include North Oconee who have quietly put together a spectacular season, Perry, Stockbridge and Benedictine. We are looking forward to an exciting tournament for Class AAAA.
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Special thanks to the Georgia Helmet Project for providing each team’s helmet. You can find all of their work here: http://gahelmetproject.com
Special thanks to the Georgia Helmet Project for providing each team’s helmet. You can find all of their work here: http://gahelmetproject.com
Historical records are provided by the Georgia High School Football Historians Association. (ghsfa.org)
The Skinny
The Holy Innocents Bears were realigned all the way from Class A-Private into Class AAAA this season but were able to earn their second consecutive region title and are also in the post-season for fifth straight season. The Bears are winners of four of their last five games. Holy Innocents is averaging 26.6 points per game while the defense is allowing 12.4 points per game. Holy Innocents has defeated five playoff teams this season. Expect for the Bears to continue to attempt to churn out yards on the ground this week as that has been the key to their success. Holy Innocents only attempts approximately five passes per game. If the Bears do decide to go to the air, expect for them to target Zach Jackson.
The Hampton Hornets have qualified for the post season for the third time in four season and for only the third time in the schools 9 year history. Hampton enters the postseason winners of three out of their last four games. The Hornets are averaging 29.2 points per game while allowing 21.5. They have defeated two playoff teams this season. The Hornets are averaging 178 yards per game on the ground and 79.6 yards per game through the air. Running back Crishaun Kindle and quarterback Conner Tolley have combined to rush for 1,419 yards and 17-TDs to help pace the Hornets on offense. Cameron Goggins leads the team in receiving with 20 receptions for 423 yards and 5-TDs. The Hornets have intercepted 13 passes this season on defense with sophomore Lionel Mann leading the way with 4 picks.
Holy Innocents cannot overlook this Hampton team. Both of these teams will lean heavily on the run. With that being said, we believe that Holy Innocents is better at running it than their opponent this week. That’s why we like the Bears. Holy Innocents by 11.
The Skinny
The Benedictine Cadets are the defending Class AAAA State Champions and are back int he post season for the 12th straight year. The Cadets have won three state titles during that stretch. Benedictine has won six consecutive games entering the post season. They are averaging 32.9 points per game and allowing just 9.1 points per game. During their six game win streak, they Cadets are averaging 33.5 points per game and allowing just 6 points per game. Benedictine has a relatively balanced offensive attack, averaging 187.4 yards per game through the air and 158.3 yards per game on the ground. Quarterback Luke Kromenhoek has thrown for 1,874 yards and 21-TDs. Za’Quan Bryan and Thomas Blackshear have combined to catch 74 passes for 895 yards and 13-TDs.
The Whitewater Wildcats are in the playoffs for the third straight season. Last season, the Wildcats made a run to the quarterfinals. They have defeated two playoff bound teams this season. Whitewater has won four of their last five games entering the post-season. Their two losses have come by a combined 13 points. Whitewater is averaging 36.1 points per game while the defense is allowing 16.7. Whitewater has relied heavily on the ground game, averaging 229 yards per game rushing while throwing for 82.8. It has been running back by committee for the Wildcats as Braxton Mueller, Xavier Clay-Turner and Logan Griffith have combined for 1,276 yards and 17-TDs. Defensively, look for Popo Aguirre and Tyler Glover to provide pressure on the Benedictine offense.
This might be one of the most challenging 1 vs 4 games across the state. We believe that the Wildcats can defeat the Cadets, but it will take a team effort running the ball to keep Benedictine’s offense on the sideline. We believe the road trip will take its toll on Whitewater. We like Benedictine by 8.
The Skinny
The Wayne County Yellow Jackets are back into the post season after a one year hiatus. The Jackets have now made the postseason eleven out of the last twelve seasons. Wayne County has won four out of their last five games. They do most of their damage offensively on the ground, averaging 201.5 yards per game rushing while only throwing for 77.6 yards per game. They only attempt about 12 passes per game. Matthew Fuller has provided most of the offense on the ground with 1,322 yards and 16-TDs. While we know Wayne won’t throw it much, we must mention their leading receiver, Terrione Graves, who has caught 25 passes for 389 yards and 6-TDs. Wayne County is averaging 26 points per game while the defense is allowing 15.7.
The Trinity Christian Lions are back in the post season after winning the Class A-Private State Title last season. The Lions have made it to the post season in eleven consecutive seasons. (They’ve only been playing football since 2011.) Trinity Christian has also only been playing in the GHSA for only five seasons. Trinity Christian has defeated two playoff bound teams this season and are averaging 24.4 points per game while allowing 21.7. The Lions are winners of three of their last five games. From an offensive production stance, they are averaging 245.6 yards per game through the air and 130.1 yards per game on the ground. Quarterback Henry Brodnax has thrown for 2,329 yards and 17-TDs.
This is a game that could come down to defense. Particularly, can Wayne County take away the Trinity Christian air attack? We think they will slow the Lions down, but not enough to be victorious. We like Trinity Christian by 2 on the road.
The Skinny
The LaGrange Grangers are back in the playoffs for the third consecutive season. LaGrange has also reeled off five consecutive victories including a big win over their county rival Troup last week to earn themselves a home playoff game. The Grangers two losses are by a combined 10 points. LaGrange has defeated four playoff bound teams and went 2-2 against Top-10 teams on the season. The Grangers are averaging 38.2 points per game on offense and allowing 20 points per game.
The Burke County Bears are back in the playoffs for the 16th straight season. The Bears have won three of their last five games. They are averaging 30.1 points per game and allowing 17.7. Burke County has defeated six playoff bound teams. Offensively, they are averaging 158.6 yards per game through the air and 195.2 yards per game on the ground, Quarterback Marshall Flowers has thrown for 1,438 yards and 9-TDs. Charlie Dorsey leads the team in rushing with 845 yards and 7-TDs. Defensively, the Bears have intercepted 9 passes on the season.
LaGrange has an explosive offense and playing at home should help give them a boost. However, should we be concerned LaGrange may have a let down after the big win last week? We don’t think so. We like the Grangers to outlast the Bears. LaGrange by 8.